Manchester United will be out to avenge a damaging Boxing Day defeat when they take on Stoke at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

The two sides had differing fortunes in their FA Cup ties this weekend, with United convincingly beating Derby County on Friday night, while Stoke fell to defeat at Crystal Palace - just days after their Capital One Cup semi-final loss to Liverpool.

In terms of the league, the Red Devils currently occupy fifth place - four points and four places ahead of the Potters - but Louis van Gaal's men were booed off last time out as they suffered defeat at home to Southampton.

Stoke also emerged pointless in their last Premier League game - going down 3-0 to table-topping Leicester City - but they strolled past United when the sides met over the festive period, as United put in one of their most lacklustre showings of the campaign to date.

Team news

The injuries are piling up for Stoke, with a knee injury to Marc Wilson not looking positive and other absentees touch-and-go.

Mark Hughes made eight changes for Saturday's FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace, with the likes of Peter Crouch, Glen Johnson and Marko Arnautovic all missing out.

"It might force our hand in the transfer window. Ryan Shawcross is injured as well, Geoff Cameron isn't available, and Marc Muniesa's only come back in after injury so we might have to do a short-term thing," Hughes said.

United remain without Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo after operations, while Wayne Rooney looks set to continue as the focal point of the attack after recent improvement in front of goal.

Paul Merson's prediction

Derby played into Manchester United's hands on Friday. The Championship side sat back and played the name rather than playing against the players at the club currently, who are not doing so well. Derby showed United far too much respect.

When you play United you have to have a real go at them but Stoke have hit a brick wall all of a sudden. Going out of the Capital One Cup and then the FA Cup has been a real blow for them. Now they go to Old Trafford thinking their season is virtually over.

Stoke have played some great stuff this year and have had a great season but in the blink of an eye they are out of everything. I'm really not sure why, but I have a feel United will win this one. It's been a bad week at Stoke and I think it continues for them at Old Trafford. I'm going for 2-1 United with Wayne Rooney scoring first.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)

Opta stats

Manchester United have defeated Stoke 11 times in the Premier League, only Chelsea have won against the Potters as often (also 11).

Stoke City have lost all seven Premier League games at Old Trafford against the Red Devils.

Manchester United have scored 32 goals in the Premier League against Stoke City; more than any other team has managed versus the Potters.

Wayne Rooney has scored three goals in his last two Premier League appearances against Stoke at Old Trafford.

This will be Mark Hughes' 100th Premier League game in charge of Stoke - he's got a record of W37 D26 L36 so far.

Man Utd have scored just 28 goals in their opening 23 league games this season; their lowest goal tally at this stage of a league campaign since 1989-90 (27).

Manchester United have attempted a joint-league low 35 shots on target at home in the Premier League this season (Sunderland also have 35) - Stoke have attempted more than this away from home (40).

Betting

Manchester United are odds-on for the victory at 8/11 with Sky Bet, with Stoke 17/4 to complete the double over the hosts and 5/2 to hold them to a draw. The Potters are 28/1 for a repeat of their 2-0 victory over Louis van Gaal's men in December, while yet another goalless first half at Old Trafford is priced at 6/4. Wayne Rooney heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2, while Bojan is considered the visitors' main threat at 8/1.